It is exactly one week since we returned to New Jersey to say goodbye to Steve's Dad. He died last Saturday night just an hour or so after we arrived. Getting back for us was a challenge as we were in Bequia, in the southern Grenadines and sailed for 36 hours straight to get back to Antigua to return to the States.

We left Bequia on Thursday at noon with the wind out of the Northeast blowing a good 20-25 knots steady. We did not have the luxury of a favorable weather forecast and beat our way all the way up the Windward Island chain, only to get some relief for the final 12 hours of the sail. We tore the main, crashing through head seas for one whole day and night. With tears and determination, we did what we needed to do, to be with the family for Walt's final hour. That challenging sail gave us lots of time to reflect and talk about what we were about to face and the reality of the life changing event of the death of a beloved parent.
We are returning to the Caribbean this weekend to spend a week in Antigua before heading northwest to the Virgins, Turks and Caicos, Bahamas and home to the Chesapeake. Our grand adventure is winding down and has been forever changed.